Th e T e T a v e l T a in im r r

An Activity by Jenny Phillips (jennyphillips.com)

Description: This powerful, interactive activity can be used for a special youth weekly activity or youth conference. Purpose: To motivate the youth to commit to live the gospel by reminding them of their life before this earth, the importance of this current life, and by thinking about the life hereafter. Preparation (In the Cultural Hall. You may want to consider delegating each area to a different leader to plan and set up.) What You Need: -Presentation DVD Arise and Shine Forth -Snacks to pass out on train (pretzels, popcorn, soda, etc.) -Optional Items: Conductor hat & whistle, train sound effects (from i-tunes), SET UPTHETRAIN: Set up the Train in the middle of the cultural hall by putting chairs in rows that resemble a train (you can have a red carpet running down the middle of the train, tape around the outside chairs to give it the outline of a train, etc.). CHOOSEALEADER to be the Train Conductor. They will be the host for the evening and should be someone who is not afraid to act and make it fun for the youth. (You can buy a conductor hat and whistle on www.amazon.com or other websites)
REFRESHMENTS: You will also need a couple of Train Attendants to pass out small bags of popcorn, peanuts, or pretzels. Also,

they will pass out plastic cups of soda or water. (You can buy popcorn bags or boxes on www.amazon.com) Optional SOUNDEFFECTS: Download some train sound effects from i-tunes. Type train sound effect in the search box. Burn the sound effects onto a CD. You will need a CD player and someone to play the sound effects at the appropriate time. SETUP AREA #1: PREMORTAL LIFE: Set up an area in one part of the cultural hall as the pre-mortal life. It can be very simple with pictures of Christ on Easels, and very light, peaceful spiritual music playing as soon as they get there (such as hymns, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, or Jenny Phillips CD Sabbath Morning.). Set up chairs where they can sit in a semi-circle (or they can sit on the floor). You could drape some white cloth around the area. Avoid the leaders, etc. wearing white. (The church sent out a letterin 2004 about not wearing all white outside the temple.) SETUP AREA #2: MORTALLIFE: In another area of the cultural hall, set up an area that represents mortal life. Consider decorating with everyday teenager items such as yearbooks, sports equipment, books, backpacks, i-pods, cell phones, computers, DVDs, CDS, clothes, clothes shopping bags, make-up, hair dryers, sports team posters, prom dresses, etc., etc. If you can, it would be great to have a TV or two playing with the volume off, , a computer with facebook or something up, a video game machine with a game on it (with the sound off). Thus, you are creating a sense of the distraction/confusion/noise of the world. This area will also need a wall or screen to project on and a video projector. SETUP AREA #3: POSTMORTALLIFE: In another area of the cultural hall, set up the Post Mortal Life. This doesnt need any decorations, simply an area for the youth to sit. Avoid the leaders, etc. wearing white.

2011 Jenny Phillips. This document may be copied free of charge for church or home use. However, this file may not be shared electronically by linking to it from a website, posting it on the internet, or emailing it. If you would like to share this document with others, you may make physical hard copies or direct them to the Free Downloads page on jennyphillips.com.

Begin Activity
[Have all the youth sit on the chairs in the train] Conductor:

All aboard! Everyone please take your seats. This train is leaving in 60 seconds. All aboard!
(Play Train whistle sound effect (optional) on CD player. Or use a train whistle).

Welcome to the Time Travel Train. This train is now leaving the station.
(Play train sound effects (optional) on CD player as if train is leaving, fade out slowly as conductor talks).

This is a train like no other youve been on. Today, we will be traveling to 3 different locations in time. We are now traveling to our first destination. Please stay seated and keep your hands and your heads in the windows at all times. As we begin our journey into the past, please close your eyes until Iask you to open them. I want you to think about the past. Lets go back to when you were eight years old. What do you remember? (pause) Where were you living? (pause) What were you doing? (pause). Now lets go back even further in time. Lets go to when you were born. You cant remember that event, but imagine yourself opening your eyes for the first time in the mortal world. (pause) Who was there? (pause) We have now going back before the time before most of you were born and have entered into the time of WW II and the holocaust where over 62 million people die. Pearl Harbor is being bombed. (pause) Now the first minimum wage is being set in the United States for .25 an hour. We have now come upon the years of the Great Depression. The stock market is crashing. A world wide epidemic is starting that will kill 20 million people. The first long distance telephone service is being demonstrated. We are passing through the years of WWI. Now we passed the great earthquake in San Fransisco. The Wright Brothers are flying the first plane. Thomas Edison is creating the first electricity. We are going really fast now. Were passing the Franco-Prussian War, the US Civil War, the California Gold Rush, the Mexican war, Texas declares its independence from Mexico, the pioneers are crossing the plains, the first temple is built in this dispensation, Joseph Smith is martyred, the Church of Jesus Christ is established upon the earth again in these Latter Days, the Book of Mormon is published, the keys of the priesthood are restored to the earth, Joseph Smith sees God the Father in the sacred grove, the War of 1812 is taking place, the prophet Joseph Smith is born, the Constitution of the United States of America is signed, the Declaration of Independence is drafted, were passing the years of the revolutionary war, the Boston Tea Party, and now the Pilgrims are landing on Plymouth Rock. We are picking up speed and passing through the life of Galileo, Pocahontas, Queen Elizabeth 1, Leonardo da Vinci. We are traveling through the years that Ivan the Great ruled Russia, now when the Incas ruled in Peru. We are going very fast now and passing the Crusades and now the classic Anasazi culture. We are passing through the hundreds and hundreds of years of the dark ages. We are now passing by Christs visit to the Nephites, His resurrection, His crucifixion, His atonement, His mortal ministry upon the earth, His birth in Bethlehem. Now we are already to Samuel the Lamanite prophesying of his birth, and now Iasiah prophesying of his birth. We are just flying now and are passing the time of Solomon and of his father King David, pharoahs are now ruling in Egypt. We are passing through the generations of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. Weve now just past hundreds of more years, and the great flood is receding from the earth, Noah is building his ark, hundreds and hundreds of more years pass by Adam and Eve have come into the lone and dreary world, now they are in the garden. Now man does not exist on the world. We are traveling through the worlds six creative periods. We are traveling beyond that time. Weve passed hundreds of more years, thousands of more years, eons of time. (pause) And now . . . finally, we are at our destination . . . the pre-mortal life. Please, very quietly and very reverently disembark the train and take a seat in the pre-mortal life.
[Direct the youth quietly in the pre-mortal area. Fade spiritual music (that should be playing in that area as the youth sit) out or very low as leader starts to speak.]

Pre-Mortal Life Area:

LEADER:

Welcome to the pre-mortal life.During all of the events that we have traveled back in time to, from the founding of America, to the time of Christ, to the Ancient Civilizations, you were living. Not in a mortal body, but in a spirit body. You were living in your spirit body ages before the earth was even created. Although you left the pre-mortal life only a handful of years ago, you cannot remember this place.

Discussion (ask the youth the following questions and guide them in discussion, reading quotes at appropriate time.)
1) Why did Heavenly Father make it so that we couldnt remember our pre-mortal life? Elder Charles W. Penrose said: The knowledge of our former state has fled from us and the veil is drawn between us and our former habitation. This is for our trial. If we could see the things of eternity, and comprehend ourselves as we are . . . the fleeting things of time would be no trial to us . . .. Orson Platt also explains why we cannot remember the pre-mortal life. He said: What person among all the human family can comprehend what took place in his first existence? No one, it is blotted from the memory . . . Because we could not, if we had all our pre-existent knowledge accompanying us into this world, show to our Father in the heavens and to the heavenly host that we would be in all things obedient . . . In order to try the children of men, there must be a degree of knowledge withheld from them, for it would be no temptation to them if they could understand from the beginning the consequences of their acts, and the nature and results of this and that temptation. (JD: 15, pg. 245-246) Brigham Young: It has also been decreed by the Almighty that spirits, upon taking bodies, shall forget all they had known previously, or they could not have a day of trialcould not have an opportunity for proving themselves in darkness and temptation, in unbelief and wickedness, to prove themselves worthy of eternal existence. 6:333. Brigham Young: The whole mortal existence of man is neither more nor less than a preparatory state given to finite beings, a space wherein they may improve themselves for a higher state of being. 1:334. 2) What do we know about our relationship with God in the pre-mortal life? Brigham Young: I want to tell you, each and every one of you, that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father, or the great Elohim. You are all well acquainted with him, for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him year after year; and yet you are seeking to become acquainted with him, when the fact is, you have merely forgotten what you did know. (Discourses of Brigham Young, pg. 50) 3) Read and discuss Moses 4:1-4 4) What happened to the 1/3 that chose to follow Satan in the pre-mortal life? What things will they never have or experience because of their choice? What blessings do you now have because you follow Jesus Christ? 5) Why is it important in your own life to know and ponder the fact that you were a valiant spirit before this life? Henry B. Eyring: You know from the scriptures revealed by God through prophets that there was a rebellion in the spirit world when the plan for our journey was offered to us. Those who rebelled did not want to accept and to depend upon a Savior nor run any risk that they might not return again to Heavenly Father. Every one of you was among the brave, the faithful, and the true in that conflict. You accepted the Savior and the plan for this journey to return to the joy of our Heavenly Fathers presence. You are remarkable, even among those who chose right in the contest in the spirit world. You qualified to come into mortality and to make this journey at a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ was on the earth. And among the billions of Heavenly Fathers children now living, you were privileged to find the gospel of Jesus Christ and His true Church. (Walk in the Light, Ensign, May 2008, 12325)

Re-Board Train to Head to Degrees of Glory

[Have all the youth quietly return to the train] Conductor:

All aboard! Everyone please take your seats. This train is leaving in 60 seconds. All aboard! (Play train whistle sound effect (optional) on CD player. Or use a train whistle). This train is now leaving the station. We are now headed to our second destination. (Play train sound effects (optional) on CD player as if train is leaving, fade out slowly as conductor talks). It will take several minutes to arrive at our next destination. Our train attendants will be coming by with complimentary drinks and snacks. Please enjoy your ride. (Have leaders pass out snacks and drinks (Have 2 or 3 options: water, sprite, lemonade, etc. You could play the CD Arise and Shine Forth in the background while the youth are talking and eating. The songs Light on a Hill and Live It would work best as they are more upbeat.) Ladies and gentleman . . . we are now at our next destination. Please, very quietly and very reverently disembark the train and take a seat in the Degrees of Glory.
[Direct the youth quietly in the Degrees of Glory area. ]

Mortal Life

Degrees of Glory Area:

LEADER:

Welcome to the degrees of glory. Except for a small number of people, everyone will one day end up in one of the degrees of glory. Your final destination will be one of three places. We have some guides here today who are going to describe each of these three places of glory.

(Have 3 leaders standing at the front of the room during this whole presentation. Each of the 3 leaders will stand by a sign Telestial Kingdom Terrestrial Kingdom or Celestial Kingdom that represents the kingdom they will speak on. Have each leader give a 3-5 minute presentation on their kingdom)

Telestial Kingdom
What gets you there? Lying, Immorality, Pride and Rebelliousness, murdering. Joseph Fielding Smith explained: the vast majority of mankind will go into the telestial kingdom eternally. (Doctrines of Salvation vol 2. pg 30) Bruce R. McConkie: A telestial glory, found only in a telestial kingdom, is reserved for those who develop telestial bodies, such bodies resulting naturally from obedience to telestial law. (D. & C. 88:16-32.) This law is the law of the world, and worldly people are conforming to its terms and conditions. Those who refuse to worship the true and living God, who are unclean and immoral, who are proud and rebellious, who walk in paths of wickedness, who are carnal and sensual, who do not maintain standards of decency, uprightness, and integrity, are as a result conforming their lives to the provisions of telestial law. (Mormon Doctrine, pg 778) Joseph Fielding Smith: Those who enter into the telestial kingdom . . .are the ungodly, the filthy who suffer the wrath of God on the earth, who are thrust down to hell where they will be required to pay the uttermost farthing before their redemption comes . . .They have no part in the first resurrection and are not redeemed from the devil and his angels until the last resurrection, because of their wicked lives and their evil deeds. Nevertheless, even these are heirs of salvation, but before they are redeemed and enter into their kingdom, they must repent of their sins, and receive the gospel, and bow the knee, and acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the world. In both the terrestrial and the telestial glories the inhabitants thereof will be limited in their powers, opportunities, and progression, because, like the sons of perdition, "they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. Other Characteristics of the Telestial World: Read D&C 76:103-112 What it will be like: Those going to this kingdom will first suffer terribly in hell to pay the price of their sins (since they would not take advantage of the atonement and repent). D7&C 19: 16-18: For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit . . . To enter the Telestial Kingdom they will have to forsake all sins and agree to abide by Gods laws for the rest of eternity. The Telestial Kingdom will be a beautiful place where there is no evil or sin. The inhabitants of the Telestial Kingdom will be servants of God. They will be single and separate for all eternity without any family and without any posterity. They will have only a portion of glory, light, and joy, but not a fulness. They will never leave the Telestial kingdom. They will spend the rest of eternity out of the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but the Holy Ghost will minister to them.

Terrestrial Kingdom
What gets you there? Living a clean and honorable life, but not valiant in your faith. Accepting the gospel (if you had the chance), but being on lukewarm in your devotion. D&C76:75: These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. D&C 132: 16-17: Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory. For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever. (Mormon Doctrine, pg 784) Bruce R. McConkie: To the terrestrial kingdom will go: 1. Accountable persons who die without law (and who, of course, do not accept the gospel in the spirit world under those particular circumstances which would make them heirs of the celestial kingdom); 2. Those who reject the gospel in this life and who reverse their course and accept it in the spirit world; 3. Honorable men of the earth who are blinded by the craftiness of men and who therefore do not accept and live the gospel law; and 4. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have testimonies of Christ and the divinity of the great latter-day work and who are not valiant, but who are instead lukewarm in their devotion to the Church and to righteousness. Mormon Doctrine, pg 784) What it will be like: The terrestrial kingdom will be a higher and more beautiful glory than the telestial kingdom. The inhabitants of the Telestial Kingdom will be servants of God. They will be single and separate for all eternity without any family and without any posterity. They will have a greater portion of glory, light, and joy, than those in the Telestial kingdom, but not a fulness. They will never leave the Terrestrial kingdom. Jesus Christ can come there, and the Holy Ghost will minister to them, but they will spend the rest of eternity out of the presence of Heavenly Father.

Celestial Kingdom
What gets you there? Living valiantly, making and keeping your covenants. Within the celestial glory are three levels, and to obtain the highest requires a temple marriage or sealing. John a Widstoe: Now the concern of the Church is to bring all men into the celestial kingdom. It has no interest in the other, lower kingdoms. Every doctrine, principle, and item of organization within the Church pertains to the celestial Glory. The manner of entrance into this the highest kingdom, is therefore made clear. Any person who wishes to enter it must have faith and repent from his sins. Then he must be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by one who has divine authority to perform such ordinances. There are principles and ordinances which in their entirety belong peculiarly to the higher kingdom. After having laid the foundation for his claim to celestial membership and association, he must, to receive all available blessings of this kingdom, comply with the many requirements of life within the Church. He belongs to "those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind should take the opposite course." All this having been done, he is qualified to enter the celestial kingdom. (Evidences and Reconciliations pp. 200-01) What it will be like: Those who are exalted and go to the highest degree in the kingdom of glory will have a perfect fullness of glory, light, joy, and knowledge. They will continue to progress and grow in glory forever. They will be married and sealed in families. They will continue to have seed and will be Gods and Goddesses. They will dwell in the presence of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

Walk to Mortal Life Area

Leader

Everyone please stand up and quietly follow me.Our final destination is Mortal Life. We will just be walking to this destination. (Have the youth walk to the Mortal Life Area and sit down.)

Mortal Life Area

Leader We want you to know that the places you have visited today are real. They do exist. You did live in the pre-mortal life for ages. And one day, you will live in one of the Degrees of Glory for all eternity. Brigham Young said: We are placed on this earth to prove whether we are worthy to go into the celestial world, the terrestrial, or the telestial or to hell, or to any other kingdom, or place, and we have enough of life given to us to do this.(JD 4:269). But right now, you only know this place, the mortal life.We cannot see before or after this life. But our Heavenly Father has not left us without guidance of a way to remember Him and know that He lives. He has given us the scriptures, prophets and apostles, ordinances and covenants, the organization of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the powerful gift of the Holy Ghost. Through these things, and through the witness of all the things in the world around us, we can know that God lives, even without seeing Him.

Play the Video: I Know (from the DVD Arise and Shine Forth)
Your mortal life is extremely short compared to where you have been or where you will go after this life. But what you do in this life will determine not only what the next million years will be like for you, or the next trillion years, but the rest of eternity. The adversary tried to lead you away from Christ before this life, but he was not able to. But now, Satan has a chance once again to try to lead you away from Christ. He is doing everything right now that he can to distract you, sidetrack you, and stop you from making your life successful. Brigham Young also said: Hear it, all ye Latter-day Saints! Will you spend the time of your probation for naught, and fool away your existence and being? You were organized, and brought into being, for the purpose of enduring forever, if you fulfil the measure of your creation, pursue the right path, observe the requirements of the celestial law, and obey the commandment of our God. 1:113. Brigham Young also said: Human beings are expected by their Creator to be actively employed in doing good every day of their lives, either in improving their own mental and physical condition or that of their neighbors. 9:190.

Play the Video: Live It (from the DVD Arise and Shine Forth)
Leaders testimonies Close with the testimony of one or more leaders about the importance of this mortal life. Or close with the bishop or other leader talking to the youth.

Optional: Sing the Song Arise and Shine Forth

You could have the youth learn this song before this event. It could be a powerful ending to the event where all the youth can participate and feel the power of the spirit through music.

Youre invited to take a ride on the

Th e Tim e T a v e l T a in r r (A youth activity you wont want to miss!)

Date & Time: ___________________________ Place: __________________________

Youre invited to take a ride on the

Th e Tim e T a v e l T a in r r (A youth activity you wont want to miss!)

Date & Time: ___________________________ Place: __________________________

Youre invited to take a ride on the

Th e Tim e T a v e l T a in r r (A youth activity you wont want to miss!)

Date & Time: ___________________________ Place: __________________________

Youre invited to take a ride on the

Th e Tim e T a v e l T a in r r (A youth activity you wont want to miss!)

Date & Time: ___________________________ Place: __________________________